Irises
can be grown very successfully in Florida. Members of
this plant's family, Iridaceae are quit
diverse, their natural habitats range from the Arctic
Tundra to the hottest deserts of central Asia. Iris are
fairly tough, disease and insect resistant plants.

Irises
most often used as garden plants in Florida fall
into two groups: Bearded Irises and Beardless
Irises. Although the Tall Bearded is the
most widely grown of the irises there are others
just as easy to grow.

Bearded
Iris are identified by thick, bushy
"beards" on each of the falls
(lower petals) of the blossoms. Originally,
most of these were native to central and
southern Europe. This huge, hybrid complex
of Pogon (bearded) irises encompasses
innumerable selections in various colors and
range in height from 8 to 28" tall.
These irises can be grown from rhizomes in
Zones 3 to 10 in full sun and fertile,
well-drained soil. Water deeply during
drought. Most bloom in late spring.
Propagate by division of rhizomes.

Beardless
Irises are mostly native to Asia. The
following types are commonly grown in
Florida gardens:

1.
Siberians, the blooms of which are
mostly blue, violet and white with large
falls and smaller standards. They are most
attractive in established clumps and grow to
a height of 2 to 4'. Grow in Zones 4 to 10
in neutral to slightly acid,
moisture-retentive, rich soil. Propagate by
division of rhizomes.

2.
Japanese, whichrequire a
slightly acid soil and present some of the
most spectacular flowers of all the irises.
Blooms are usually huge, ruffled and flat in
form; some are marbled with gray or white.
Plants reach a height of 2 - 3'. Grow in
Zones 5 to 10 in soil in shallow standing
water or very moisture-retentive, rich soil.
Propagate by division of rhizomes.

3.
Louisianas, whichare native to
the American Gulf Coast, require fertile
soil that is somewhat acid and wet in the
spring. These plants do best in Zones 4 to 9
in full to partial sun. The blooms are
usually very wide petaled and open, showing
brightly colored style-arms and sharp
signal-crests. Numerous flower colors are
available and plants range in height from 2
- 4'. Propagate by division of rhizomes.